Former Montana Sen. Jon Tester told NPR he has an advisory agreement with Palantir Technologies Inc. as Democrats prepare to control Congress, where lawmakers have questioned the company’s work with U.S. immigration authorities.
The Associated Press called Senate control for Democrats on Nov. 3 and House control on Nov. 4 after the 2026 midterm elections. The new Congress takes office in January 2027.
Palantir reported $953 million in revenue from U.S. government customers for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2026. That was 96% more than a year earlier.
A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) procurement document describes the planned uses of Palantir-developed ImmigrationOS. ICE wanted the system to help set priorities for apprehensions, monitor voluntary departures and manage removal work. The agency said Palantir’s existing software and integrations made it the only supplier able to deliver a prototype without unacceptable delay.
In an April 16, 2026, request, U.S. Reps. Dan Goldman and Nydia Velázquez and Sen. Ron Wyden asked the Department of Homeland Security and ICE to account for their Palantir-developed tools, the data those tools use and safeguards for personal information. The lawmakers raised surveillance concerns; their request did not establish that unlawful surveillance had occurred.
Tester described the agreement as “not lobbying” and told NPR he expects to focus on government services. His description of the role is his own account.
In a 2025 response to a separate congressional inquiry, Palantir denied building a government-wide database on Americans. The company said its customers control the information they use with its software.
Wyden’s office told NPR it plans to seek further answers after Democrats take control in January 2027 and could consider compulsory measures if Palantir does not respond.
